Scientific inquiry constantly unearths amazing (and, at times, shocking) facts about our planet. In this post, let’s get to know some fascinating science facts that might change the way you view life, the universe, and everything in between. Our cosmos is quite remarkable, and these scientific facts show that it often surprises us. Because there are so many unsolved mysteries in the world, every new finding has the power to shock and educate us in incredible ways.
Shocking science facts
1. Humans and bananas share DNA
That almost half of our DNA is similar to a banana’s is a shocking fact. Not that it proves we’re partially bananas, but it does show how similar the genetic code is that governs life’s essential activities. Similarities in DNA, the blueprint for all living things, support the idea of evolution and our common ancestry.
2. Space and All It Contain
The vastness of space is astounding. With a diameter of around 93 billion lightyears, the visible universe is home to an estimated two trillion galaxies. The number of stars in a galaxy may easily reach the billions, and many of those stars even have their own solar systems. The vastness of the cosmos is hard to fathom, considering that our Milky Way galaxy alone is home to more than 100 billion stars.
3. Octopuses Have Three Hearts
Intriguing as their unusual nature is, octopuses rank high among the ocean’s most fascinating inhabitants. Their tricardia allows them to circulate blood throughout the body, with two hearts supplying the gills and one supplying the remainder. Octopuses prefer to crawl rather than swim because their hearts stop pumping blood to the body when they swim, which makes them tired quickly.
4. The Velocity of Light
Nearly 299,792 kilometers per second (186,282 miles per second) is the speed of light. Thus, it takes around 8 minutes and twenty seconds for the sun’s rays to reach Earth. Nevertheless, this velocity is not only rapid; it is the cosmic speed limit in accordance with Einstein’s theory of relativity, indicating that nothing can surpass the speed of light in a vacuum.
5. On a daily basis, your stomach builds a fresh lining
The stomach’s capacity to digest food and its defense mechanisms make it an extraordinary organ. Every few days, the stomach’s mucus membrane regenerates to keep the digestive acids from penetrating the stomach itself. Maintaining proper digestive system function relies on this quick regeneration.
6. The Distinct Qualities of Water
Because it can solidify into ice, then turn into water again, and finally turn into steam, water is unlike any other material. Do you know the “triple point?” It’s a specific temperature and pressure; the substance may be in a state of equilibrium between bubbling and solidifying. Furthermore, water can absorb large quantities of heat without significantly altering its temperature due to its high heat capacity.
7. The height of the Eiffel Tower may increase by 15 centimeters in the summer
Yep, you read that right! As a result of thermal expansion, the Eiffel Tower could grow in height during the summer months. The metal expands as the temperature rises, and the structure compresses as the temperature drops, returning to its initial height. This shift in behavior as a function of temperature serves as a great illustration of how materials react to their surroundings.
7. Earth’s Microbes
The number of bacterial cells in your body exceeds the number of human cells, demonstrating the incredible abundance of microbes on our planet. Our bodies are always teeming with an estimated 40 trillion germs. While these microbes are essential for proper digestion and immunological function, an imbalance may lead to a host of disorders.
9. Incredibly Durable Tardigrades
Tiny tardigrades, often called water bears, are hardy little organisms. They are resilient enough to endure space, sub-zero temperatures, and even intense heat. They are able to survive in environments that would kill most other kinds of life because they can enter a cryptobiotic state.
10. The Production of Oxygen by Earth
Forests may be the first places that spring to mind when thinking of oxygen generation, but photosynthesis by marine organisms like seaweed and phytoplankton accounts for half of Earth’s oxygen supply. Because they fix atmospheric carbon dioxide and generate oxygen, these microscopic creatures are crucial to Earth’s habitability.
11. How bizarre is quantum mechanics?
Examples of phenomena unexplained by conventional physics’ understanding include the instantaneous effects of entangled particles at great distances and the superposition of particles, which allow them to exist in more than one state at the same time. These concepts call into question our very conception of reality.
12. Our Planet’s Age
Radiometric dating of meteorite samples and lunar samples returned by Apollo missions gives Earth an age of around 4.5 billion years. Within this age range, major geological processes, including continental drift and catastrophic extinctions, occurred on Earth.
13. The Amount of Energy Required by the Brain
The human brain uses up about 200–300 calories each day at rest, even though it only makes up around 2% of total body weight! Thinking, processing memories, and controlling body systems are just a few of its intricate operations that rely on this high energy consumption.
14. Animals’ Unique Abilities
There are a few creatures out there with superhuman-level skills.
- To the tune of 600 volts, electric eels may deliver jolts.
- As mentioned, water bears, or tardigrades, are able to endure very harsh environments, even a space vacuum.
- While migrating great distances, pigeons demonstrate exceptional navigational abilities by relying on the Earth’s magnetic field.
15. Weather pattern changes caused by climate change
Hurricanes, droughts, floods, and wildfires are becoming more frequent and severe as a result of the higher global temperatures brought about by human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, which are a major component of climate change.